YouTube Leads Talks To Stream More 2026 NFL Games: Report
NFL streams even more
Get ready for more streaming troubleshooting calls from your parents this fall: Via Front Office Sports, YouTube, and the NFL are in advanced talks to broadcast a five-game NFL package for the 2026-2027 season. While the deal is not yet finalized, Front Office Sports notes that this stage of discussions places YouTube ahead of reported competitors Fox and Netflix.
What 2026 NFL games could YouTube get?
This latest round of NFL broadcast bidding is partially from ESPN’s purchase of NFL Network last year. While NFL Network traditionally aired International Series games, the acquisition rearranged some of the NFL’s TV scheduling and gave them an opportunity to reopen talks.
We don’t know for sure what games could end up on YouTube as part of this limited package. According to Pro Football Talk and Sports Media Watch, the NFL is offering a slate of games that the winning broadcast partner can select from:
- International games, including this season’s Week 1 49ers–Rams matchup in Australia
- Holiday games like additional Black Friday, Christmas, or Thanksgiving matchups
- Week 17 or Week 18 Saturday matchups
What this means for you
Amid a Department of Justice investigation into the NFL’s broadcast deals, there are several reasons why YouTube’s spot as a frontrunner for more NFL games makes sense. Between Amazon, YouTube, Netflix, Peacock, and the major networks, NFL fans are increasingly used to jumping through hoops to watch NFL games.
YouTube TV is already home to NFL Sunday Ticket, so the league is likely comfortable with expanding its YouTube footprint. While it remains to be seen how much of the DOJ’s investigation is political sword-rattling or Trump exacting revenge for being snubbed by the NFL in the 80s, keeping games off the paywall could cool things down with federal regulators. For instance, YouTube streamed last season’s NFL Brazil game for free, a win for cash-strapped fans.
And it goes without saying that the NFL is comfortable splitting its broadcast slate with technology streamers and newer partners for additional revenue. While network TV remains the breadwinner for the NFL, the league has regularly sold its rights to the competition. For example, ESPN will broadcast its first-ever Super Bowl for the 2026-2027 season.
As of now, a nuclear scenario like the NFL moving entirely to YouTube or Apple TV remains unlikely. But as NFL rights deals continue to rise in price, viewers can expect an NFL viewing experience that’ll become increasingly pricier and ad-laden.
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